Sheet feeder



May 30, 1939. P. CERNAK SHEET FEEDER Filed Dec.

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR '.PAUL CERNAK BY%%MMI ATTORNEY May 30, 1939. P CERNAK 2,160,491

SHEET FEEDER 7 Filed Dec. so, 1937 5 Sheets-Shet 2 ATTORNEY 1 1 m no 92 z i o o W 90 N3 '24 115 35 INVENTOR I PAUL CERNAK 4 BY 5 Z! %d fi' Patented May 30, 1939 Paul Cernak, Montvale, N. 1., assignor to Dexter Folder Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York ApplicationDec embcr 30, 1932, Serial No. 182,397

17 Claims."

This invention relates to sheet feeders and while capable of general use is more particularly adapted for embodiment in feeders for feeding sheets of tin, black iron, aluminum and the like, to printing presses, punch presses, coating and varnishing machines, and various other instrumentalities' employed in the processing or mak ing of metal articles or containers.

One object of the present invention is to provide an improved feed of novel, simple, and durable construction that will rapidly and efllciently feed sheets of metal or other materials to various types of equipment such as mentioned above.

15 Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved feeder the sheet feedin action of which, through the operation of novel means incorporated therein, may be automatically stopped about or just prior to the time a 20 supply of sheets thereon has been exhausted.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved feeder which, through the action of novel means incorporated therein, may

be rapidly reloaded while at thesame time as- 2.3 suring that the feeder elevator will notbe lowered too far, or beyond a predetermined point, for the reloading operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide ,an improved feeder which,throughthe operation of other novel means incorporated therein, insures that the elevator, after loading of sheets thereon and through lifting of the same thereby to feeding position will not cause the top of the pile of sheets to rise above the certain predetermined height where separation and feeding or forwarding of the sheets from the pile is effected.

These and other objects of the present invention will appear as the following description thereof proceeds and in. order to more clearly understand said invention reference may be had to, the accompanying drawings which illustrate one embodiment thereof.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front levation of a feeder embodying the present invention and particularly adapted for feeding metal sheets;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation, partly in section, 50 of the feeder shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view of pile elevator and feeder stopping devices shown in Figs. 1 and 2, illustrating diagrammatically an electric circuit for said devices; and

Fig. 4 is a top plan view, with parts omitted of one of the stopping devices shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views, the various movable parts 5 of the feeder as well as certain stationary parts thereof may be mounted on a frame of any suitable construction and the movable parts employed during normal operation of the feeder may be actuated or driven by any suitable means.

As hereinafter shown, said frame and driving means are preferably constructed as follows.

The feeder frame is comprised by front uprights 5 and rear uprights 6 connected together by side members 1 and 0 (Figs. ,1 to 4, inclusive). 1 The uprights 5 and 6 are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the machine foundation, the front uprights 5 being connected together by cross members 9 bolted or otherwise suitably secured thereto, and the rear uprights 6 being connected together at the tops thereof by a stay shaft Ill. The cross members 9 have bolted or otherwise suitably secured thereto a metal apron or plate I I against which the front side of a supply or pile of metal or other sheets l2 bears during elevation of the same by mechanism to be hereinafter described.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the drive for the feeder is preferably comprised by an inclined driven 'jack shaft l3 which, in turn, is driven from any suitable source of power (not shown). The upper end of this jack shaft I3 is journalled in a suitable bearing provided by a bracket I 4 that is bolted or otherwise suitably secured on one of the front uprights 5.

Fixed on the-upper end of jack shaft I 3 is a bevel gear I5 which meshes with a similar gear l6 fixed on a short shaft l1 journalled in suitable bearings in the bracket l4 and the adjacent front upright 5. Fixed on the short shaft I1 is a spur pinion III which meshes with a spur gear ii! that is fixed on a cam shaft 20. This cam shaft 20 is journalled in suitable bearings in the front uprights 5 and is utilized to ope'rate various parts of the feeder to be hereinafter described. The feeder includes a pile elevator and operating .mechanism therefor preferably constructed as follows.

The short shaft II has fixed thereon a crank disk 2| pivotally connected with one end of a link 22 the opposite end of which is pivotally connectedwith a pawl carrier 23 that is loosely mounted on a' shaft 2! (Figs. 1 and 2). This shaft 24 extends transversely of the feeder and is journalled in suitable bearings on the front uprights 5. Shaft 24 is operated at suitable intervals to raise the pile elevator hereinafter described and said operation of said shaft is preferably effected by pawl and ratchet mechanism of the general type disclosed in the application Serial No. 33,002 of Leonard Baker, filed July 25, 1935.

This pawl and ratchet mechanism includes the pawl carrier 23 and a pawl 25 pivoted thereon and adapted, under certain conditions, to engage a ratchet 26 fixed on the shaft 24. It will thus appear that through oscillation of the pawl carrier 23 by the described driving connections therefor with jack shaft l3 and through engagement of the oscillating pawl 25- with the ratchet 26, the shaft 24 will be intermittently rotated. Under these conditions right and left hand worms 21 and 28 fixed on shaft 24 will likewise be rotated. These worms 21 and 28 mesh with right and left hand worm gears 29 and 30 that are fixed on shafts 3| journalled in suitable bearings 0n the front and 'rear uprights 5 and 6.

Fixed on shafts 3| are toothed sheaves 32 in the teeth of which are engaged links of chains 33 so that when the shafts 3| are rotated in the proper direction by the described driving means therefor, said chains will be raised and thus raise an elevator comprising cross beams 34 to which the lower ends of said chains 33 are secured, as by suitable couplings or connections 35. The elevator 34 has placed thereon a pile board or skid 36 which, together with the pile of metal or other sheets I2, is positioned on said elevator through the rear of the feeder when the elevator is lowered by means for this purpose hereinafter described.

The elevator 34 and pile of sheets l2 thereon are raised intermittently as the sheets are fed ofl the top of the pile by sheet separating and forwarding devices hereinafter described, and to keep the top'of said pile at a predetermined level for the operation of said means the elevator and its operating mechanism are preferably controlled by pneumatic means comprising a pile governor 31 and a maskdetent 38 preferably mounted, constructed and operated as disclosed in the application serial No. 116,692 of Leonard "Baker, George A. Martin and Leo C. Williams,

filed December 19, 1936, and needing no detail description herein.

The feeder embodies means for supplying compressed air to pile and sheet winding devices (not shown), means for creating vacuum in the sheet separating and forwarding devices, and means for lowering and raising the elevator for loading and reloading purposes, and said means are preferably mounted, constructed and operated as follows: Extending across the feeder frame and secured in any suitable manner to the front uprights 5 thereof are cross shafts 39 (Fig. 1). These cross shafts 39 have bolted or otherwise suitably secured thereto brackets 40 which, in turn, have bolted or otherwise suitably secured thereto an electric motor 4|. Fixed on the armature shaft 42 of motor 4| is a sprocket 43 around which passes a chain 44 that also passes around a sprocket 45 that is fixed on the shaft 46 of a pump 41 suitably constructed to supply air under pressure from one part thereof and to create vacuum in another part thereof.

This air and vacuum pump 41 is bolted or otherwise suitably secured-above, and to one side of,

the motor 4| on brackets 48 which, in turn, are bolted or otherwise suitably secured on one of the cross shafts 39 and a third .cross shaft 49 located thereabove and secured in any suitable manner on the front uprights 5. Connected with the exhaust or air pressure side or part of pump 41 is one end of a conduit 50 the opposite end of which is connected with a compressed air tank 5| secured in any suitable manner on the feeder frame above and to one side of the motor 4|.

The compressed air tank 5| has connected therewith one end of a conduit 52 the opposite end of which is connected with one part 53 of a tubular shaft indicated broadly at 54. This tubular shaft 54 is divided centrally in any suitable manner and the other part of said shaft is indicated at 55. Part 53 provides an air supply conduit and part 55 provides a vacuum conduit and both of these parts are connected with the housing 56 of a valve mechanism 51 supported on the feeder in any suitable manner and through which the cam shaft 20 extends. The construction and operation of this valve mechanism is the same as that of the valve mechanism disclosed in application serial No. 116,692 above referred to and needs no detail description herein. The vacuum part or conduit 55 of tubular shaft 54 has connected therewith one end of a conduit 58 the opposite end of which is connected with the vacuum side or part of pump 41. The valve mechanism 51, through the described connections therefor with the pump 41, controls the delivery of air under pressure to the above mentioned pile and sheet winding devices (not shown), and the making and breaking of vacuum in sheet separating and forwarding devices hereinafter referred to.

Mounted on the feeder frame and secured thereto in any'suitable manner, is an auxiliary frame 59 comprised by side members 60 and a rear cross member 6| mounted on said side members and adjustable therealong to various positions. The cross member 6| has mounted thereon the pile governor 31 and vacuum sheet separating'devices comprised by cylinders 62 and suction cups 63 that are raised and lowered through the making and breaking of vacuum in said cylinders. These sheet separating devices are constructed and operated in the same manner as the sheet separating devices disclosed in application Serial No. 116,692 and need no detail description herein. It might be pointed out, however, that the cylinders 62 are connected by flexible hose 64 with the valve housing 56 and that the rotary valve 65 connected with the driving disk 66 fixed on cam shaft 20, is constructed and rotated to make and break vacuum in the sheet separating devices at predetermined intervals through the described connections for said devices with the valve housing 56 and the described connections for the latter with the vacuum side of pump 41.

The sheet forwarding devices are comprised. by cylinders 61 and suction cups 68 that are raised up and down relative to the cylinders through the making and breaking of vacuum therein. These sheet forwarding devices are also constructed and operated in the same manner as the sheet forwarding devices disclosed in application Serial No. 116,692 and need no detail description herein. It is pointed out, however, that the sheet forwarding devices have swinging movement to advance the sheets that have been separated from the pile |2 by the sheet separating devices, and for this purpose cylinders 61 are secured on arms 69 wh'-h, in

turn, are fixed on a rock shaft 18 that extends arm 1I, Fig. 1, fixed on rock shaft 18, the opposite end of said spring being connected with the feeder-frame. The sheet forwarding devices are rocked forwardly by a'cam 12 fixed on and rotated by cam shaft 28. This cam 12 engages a cam roller 13 journalled on a cam strap 14 extending over cam shaft 28 and connected with the arm 1I.

The making and breakingof vacuum in the cylinders 81 is also effected by the valve 65 at proper intervals, and for this purpose the cylinders 61 are connected by flexible'hose 15 with.

the valve casing 58 which, as previously pointed out, is connected by the described connections with the vacuum side of pump 41.

-The sheets separated from the pile I2 by the sheet separating devices, are taken by the sheet forwarding devices and delivered thereby to a sheet con'veyor'that advances the sheets to the machine with which the feeder is associated. As herein shown, this sheet conveyor includes feed rollers 18 secured by any suitable means in spaced relation on a driven shaft 11 that extends transversely of the feeder at the front thereof and is journalled in any suitable manner on the front uprights 5. The shaft 11 and feed rollers 16 are driven by suitable gearing including a gear 18 fixed on said shaft, and a gear 19 which meshes with the gear 18 and is fixed on and rotated by the short shaft I1. 8

In the normal operation of the feeder, the sheets are separated and forwarded from the pile by the sheet separating and forwarding devices and. the latter deliver the sheets to the conveyor which advances them to the machine being fed. As the sheets ,are so separated, forwarded, and conveyed, thepile elevator is raised intermittently to compensate for removal of the sheets from the .pile and to maintain'the top of the latter at a predetermined elevation for the operation of the sheet separating and forwarding devices. This intermittent elevation of the pile elevator during norm operation of the feeder is effected through the described driving connections for the elevator with the jack shaft I3 which connections include the pawl and ratchet mechanism 25, utilized for driving the elevatoroperating shaft 24 and the operation of which, in'

turn, is controlled by the pneumatic pilegoyernor 31. The casing for the pneumatic governor 31 is connected by a flexible hose 88 with the compressed air supply conduit 53 and said casing is further connected by a flexible hose 8I with the casing for the detent 38. This detent 38 th1 -ugh raising and lowering movement in accordance with the'raising and lowering movement of governor 31; controls the movement of a pawl mask 82 which, in turn, controls the operation of the pawl and ratchet mechanism 25, 26 and the intermittent upward movement of the pile elevator, all as described -in application Serial No. 116,692 above referred to.

During normal operation of the feeder, the pump 41 is driven by the motor to supply compressed air to the conduit 53 and to create vacuum in the sheet separating and forwarding devices, all as set forth in application Serial No. 116,692. The motor 4| is of the three phase type supplied with current from any suitable source through lead wires 83, I4 and 85 (Fig. 3). Wire 83 is connected by a wire 88 with one terminal of a normally closed switch 81. This switch 81 is arranged in a switch box 81' indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3 and mounted by suitable means at any convenient-point on the feeder frame. The other terminal of switch 81 is connected by a wire 88 with a wire 89 which, in turn, is connected with one terminal of a normally closed switch 98 pivoted on a switch box 9| that is bolted or otherwise suitably secured on a bracket 92. This bracket 92, in turn, is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the metal apron or plate II that forms a guide for'the front of the pile of sheets I2 (Figs. 3 and 4) The other terminal of switch 98 is connected by a wire 93 with a wire 94 which, in turn is'connected with one terminal of a normall'yf open motor starting switch 95in the switch box 81'. The switch .95 is of the push button type and is actuated or closed by the machine attendant to start the motor M; The other terminal of switch 95 is connected by a wire 96 with a coil 91 of a magnetic switch 98 arranged in a control box 98 indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3 and secured by suitable means at any convenient point on the feeder frame.

tendant, the coil 91 will be energized and actuate the switch 98 to close itin contact with terminals I88, I8I and I82 of wires 83, 84 a d 85. Closing of the switch 98 starts the mo r H which receives current from wires 83, 84 and 85 through wires I83, I84 and I85 connected with switch 98 and with wires I88, I81 and I88 which, in turn, are connected with said motor. The switch 95, having beenclosed by the machine attendant, is opened as soon as he releases it, thus disconnecting the wires 94 and 96. The wire 96, however, connected with switch 95, is also connected with the switch 98, and when the latter is closed, it contacts the terminal I89 of wire 94. The coil 91 thus continues to be energized and maintain the switch 98 closed, regardless of the opening of switch 95.

In accordance with the present invention means are provided to stop the sheet feeding operation of the feeder when a supply of sheets elevated intermittently by the mechanism, described for this purpose is nearly exhausted. Said means stops the pump 41 and prevents further operation of the sheet separating and forwarding devices which, if allowed to continue in operation when the pile is completely exhausted, might cause trouble in the feeder and damage to said devices. Said feeder stopping means is preferably mounted, constructed, and operated as follows.

The elevator 34 has secured thereto side bars 8 H8 and 8' (Figs. 2, 3 and 4). These bars extravel of the bar II8 near the upper limit of the travel of the elevator 34 is a stop member II2. This stop member, when contacted by said bar II8, acts to stop the motor 4| and the pump 41,

and cut offlthe latter from the sheet separating and forwarding devices so that said devices are thrown out of operation when the elevator has been raised sufliciently andonly a few sheets ofthe supply remain thereon.

The stop member I2 is carried by an arm H3, there being a spring I I4 interposed between said arm and the lower end of the stop member in order that the latter may yieldably engage the bar H8 when the elevator is raised sufliciently for this purpose as, for example, to the upper dotted line position thereof shown in Fig. 3. The arm H3 is adjustably secured in any suitable manner on a rod H5 that is guided in brackets H8 and H1 secured in-any suitable manner .on one of the front uprights 5 and the uppermost cross member 9 respectively. Rod H5 carries a spring H8 the upper end of which bears against bracket H1 and the lower end of which bears against a collar II9 adjustably secured in any suitable manner on said rod. The lower end of rod H5 is pivotallyconnected at I with the inner lower corner of a triangular plate I2I that is povotally mounted at I22 on the bracket 92. This plate I2I has pivoted thereon at I23 a disk I24 provided therein with an opening I25 for actuation of said disk manually by the machine attendant in a manner to be hereinafter described. The disk I24 is pivoted so that the major portion of its weight is below its pivot. Therefore said disk, when disengaged from a. roller I26 on switch 99, always assumes its normal position indicated in full lines in Fig. 3.

Assuming that the elevator 34 during feeding of the sheets one after another from the top of the pile I2 by the separating and forwarding devices, has been raised intermittently by the pawl and ratchet mechanism 25, 26, and only a few sheets of the supply remain on said elevator, the bar H8 will contact stop II 2, lift the rod H5 against the action of the spring H8, rotate the plate I2I and the disk I24 counter clockwise as viewed in Fig. 3, and cause the disk I24 to contact roller I26 on switch 90 and thus open said switch as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3. Opening of the switch 88 breaks the circuit to coil 91 that includes the wires 83, 86, the switch 81, the wires 88, 89 and 93, contact I89 and switch 98, and wires 98, 99 and 85. This circuit being broken, the coil 91 is deenergized, the

In accordance with the present invention means are provided to rapidly lower the elevator in order to load or relgad it and to stop said elevator in a predetermined lowered position in order to prevent overrunning of the chains 33 and disengagement of the same from the sheaves 32. Said means are preferably mounted, constructed and operated as follows and includes the disk I24 and the switch 90. Upon the stopping of upward movement of the elevator with a few remaining sheets thereon, as previously described, the machine attendant grips the disk I24 through the opening I25 therein and turns it counter clockwise (Fig. 3) until a flat face I21 of said disk is brought opposite the roller I26. The switch 90, through the action of a spring (not shown) is then closed whereupon the switch 95 is again pushed by the machine attendant to start the motor H in the manner previously described. Starting of the motor H, of course, starts the pump 41 whereupon the machine attendant pushes a lever I28 to the left as viewed in Fig. 1. The lever I28 is mounted on the feeder its upper end with a shift rod I29 extending transversely of the feeder and slidably mounted in suitable bearings on the front uprights 5.

The shift rod I29 and the lever I28 are normally maintained in the inoperative, full line positions thereof shown in Figs. 1 and 2 by a spring I30 that is mounted on said shift rod between a collar I3I thereon and the adjacent front upright 5. In the inoperative positions of the lever I28 and the shift rod I29, and during normal operation of the feeder, the parts I32, I33 of a clutch on shaft 24 are disconnected. When the lever I28 is shifted to the left, however, a fork I34 on rod I29 is shifted to the right therewith and actuates a. clutch connector I35 which connects the two parts of the clutch I32, I33.' Shaft 24 is then driven in the proper direction by pump 41 to rapidly lower the elevator 34. For this purpose, the driven shaft 46 of the pump has fixed thereon a sprocket I36 around which passes a chain I31. that also passes around a sprocket I38 on a short shaft I 39 journalled in suitable hearings on one of the front uprights 5.

This shaft I39 has fixed thereon a sprocket I40 around which passes a chain I4I that also passes around a sprocket I42 fixed on the clutch part I33 which, together with said last namedsprocket, is loosely mounted on shaft 24.

The clutch part I 32 is fixed on shaft 24 and when the two parts of the clutch are connected as above described, shaft 24 is driven in the proper direction by the described driving-connections therefor with pump 41 to rapidly lower the elevator 34. When the lever I 28 is pushed to the left, a fork I43 fixed on shift rod I29 is moved therewith to the right. This fork I43 engages loosely over the mask 82 and, when moved to the right, shifts said mask in the same direction, thus throwing the pawl and ratchet mechanism 25, 26 out of operation and disconnecting the drive between the elevator and the jack shaft I3 so that the elevator may be lowered, without interference, by the pump drive therefor. the elevator begins to lower it is disengaged from stop H2 whereupon spring H8 actuates rod H5 and plate I2I so that these parts, together with disk I24, assume the full line inoperative positions thereof and switch 90 is closed.

The elevator, upon rapid lowering thereof may be stopped in a predetermined lowered position by the machine attendant moving the lever I28 to its full line inoperative position which action also returns shift rod I29 to its full line inoperative position, disconnecting the clutch parts I32, I 33 and returning the mask 82 to its normal operative position. Disconnection of the clutch parts I32, I33 in this manner disconnects the drive for the elevator through the clutch from pump 41 to the elevator operating shaft 24, and the elevator is thereupon stopped in proper position for loading or reloading. The machine attendant then actuates switch 81 to open it and thus deenergize coil 91 so that switch 98 is opened and the motor 4I and pump 41 are stopped. Switch 81 closes when released by the machine attendant but at this time switch 95 is open and switch 98 will not be actuated to start motor 4I.

If, for-any reason, the machine attendant fails to move lever I28 as aforesaid and stop the elevator when it reaches its proper lowered position for loading or reloading, means are provided, in

accordance with the present invention, to automatically perform this function and said means are preferably mounted, constructed and operthe path of travel of the bar 0 is a stop member I44. Upon failure of the machine attendant to stop the elevator when it is lowered to its proper loading or reloading position, the bar IIO, as indicatedin dotted lines in the lower right hand side of Fig. 3, will strike the stop member I44 and actuate it to stop the motor 4| and the pump 4'! and thus prevent further lowering of said elevator. For this purpose, stop I 44 is adjustably secured on the lower end of a rod I45 guided in a bracket I46 secured in any suitable manner to the lowermost cross member I 9. The upper end of rod I45 is pivotally connected-at I41 with the outer lower corner of triangular plate I2I and in the event bar I I 0 strikes stop I 44, plate |2I and disk .I24 are rotated counter clockwise as viewed in Fig. 3 so that disk m strikes roller I26, opens switch so, and stops placed on the elevator, the latter and the pile of sheets are rapidly elevated until the top of the pile is brought into proper position for the normal sheet feeding operations. machine attendant first moves lever I28 to the left so as to connect shaft 24 with pump 41, close a switch I50, and lower a switch operating arm I55, all as presently to be described. The machine attendant then pushes a switch I48 in box 81 which starts the motor 4| so that it rotates in a direction reverse to that in which it was rotated to drive the pump 41 during the normal "operation of the feeder and when lowering the pile elevator to load or reload it. .In this case, the switch 81, as in the previous case, is closed and current flows through the wire 83, wire 86, switch 81, wire 88 and a wire I49 connected with said wire 88. Wire I49 is connected with the switch I50. Switch I50 is pivoted at I5I in a box I52 that is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the valve housing 56 at the under side thereof. Switch I50 is provided with 8. lug I53 that engages the box I52 when the switch is closed and thus prevents lowering of a roller I54 beyond a predetermined point. Roller I54 is journalled on the free end of the arm I55 that is also pivoted at I5| on ,box I 52 and is secured to, or formed integrally with switch I50 and lug I53. Arm I55 has pivotally connected therewith at I56 the lower end of a rod 'I5I the upper end of which is pivotally connected at I59 with a triangular plate I59. Plate I59, under certain conditions, bears against one side of the valve casing 56 and is pivotally mounted at I60 on a frame I6I that is bolted or otherwise suitably secured on the shift rod I29.

When lever I28 is shifted to the left, for connection of the elevator with the pump and rapid lowering or raising of said elevator thereby, rod I 29 and arm I6I are shifted to the right, thus moving plate-I59 in the same direction out of Accordingly, the

arm I55 to drop by gravity and close switch I50. It will thus appear that when switch I 48 is pushed to start motor 4| in the reverse direction and rapidly raise the elevator and the pile of sheets thereon, switch I50 will be closed.

Under these conditions, current flows from wire I49 through switch I50, wire I 62 and a wire I63 connected with said wire I 62. Wire I63 is connected with one terminalof the switch I 48 and when the latter is closed current flows through said switch and through a wire I64 con-, nected with the other terminal thereof. Wire I64 is connected with the coil I 65 of a magnetic switch I66 in box 98, and said coil is-connected by wires I61 and 99 with the wire 85. It will thus appear that when the switch I48 is closed coil I65 will be energized, thus actuating switch I66 and closing it in contact with the terminals I69, I69 and H0 of wires 83, 84 and 85.

- When the switch I66 is closed, current flows to motor 4| from wires 83, 84, 85 through wires I06, I01, I08 which are connected with said switch. The switch I48, like the switch 95, is a push button switch that opens when it is released, thus disconnecting the wires I63 and I64. The wire I64, however, connected with switch I48, isalso connected with the switch I66 which, when closed, contacts a terminal III of wire I62 connected with wire I63, thus maintaining current in coil I 65 and holding switch I66 closed, regardless of the opening of switch I 48.

As stated above, prior to the time the machine attendant pushes the switch I48 and starts the motor 4| in the reverse direction aforesaid, he pushes the leverI28 to the left. This moves the shaft I29 to the right, allows the lever I55 to drop and close switch I50, and engages the parts of clutch I32, I33to connectfthe elevator operating shaft 24 with' the pump shaft 46 as previously described. This having been done, and the switch I46 having been pushed to start the motor 4| in reverse direction of rotation, the elevator and the pile of sheets thereon are rapidly raised by the pump 41 which is now being driven by the motor 4| in a direction reverse to that in whichit was driven when the elevator was rapidly lowered to load or reload it.

As the top of the rapidly raising pile approaches the predetermined level where the sheet separating and forwarding devices may be rendered operative to separate and feed the sheets one after another from the pile, the-machine at tendant moves the lever I28 to its inoperative position. The parts of the clutch I32, I33 are thus disengaged, the pump 41 is thereby disconelevator operating mechanism comprised by the pawl and ratchet 25, 26 and the jack shaft I3. When lever I28 is moved to its inoperative position, plate I 59 engages valve housing 56 and causes arm I55 and roller I54 to move upwardly to the dotted line inoperative positions thereof shown in Fig. 3. The switch I50 is thus opened, thereby stopping motor 4| and pump 41. Thereupon the switch 95 may be'pushed to start motor separated and fed from the top of the pile by j the sheet separating and forwarding devices.

During this particular operation the switch I50 remains open because the arm I55 and roller I54 are'held up in inoperative positions through engagement of plate I 59 with valve housing 56. Roller I54 therefore cannot be lowered to close said switch during the normal sheet feeding operation of the feeder. Excess wear on the switch and frequent repairs or replacements thereto are thus prevented by reason of the fact that during the normal sheet feeding operations the roller I54 does not rest on the top of the pile and no movement is imparted to said roller, the arm I55 or the switch I50.

If the machine attendant, for any reason, fails to move lever I28 to its inoperative position when the top of the rapidly raising pile reaches the aforesaid predetermined level, the roller I54 remains in its lowered position and switch I50 remains closed. The top of the rapidly raising pile I2 will then engage roller I54, swing arm I55 upwardly, and open switch I50. Under these conditions, current will no longer flow through the coil I65 and switch I66 will therefore open thus disconnecting motor M from wires 83, 84 and 85 and stopping said motor, the pump 41, and the drive from the pump to the elevator so that further raising movement of the elevator is prevented and it is stopped with the top of the pile at the aforesaid predetermined height.

The rapidly raising elevator having been stopped, and the lever I28 having been moved to its inoperative position by the machine attendant, normal operation of the feeder is again initiated in the manner previously described through intermittent elevation of the elevator and pile of sheets, action of the sheet separating and forwarding devices, and operation of the pump 41 by the motor 4| which, of course, is again started in its original direction of rotation through closing of switch by the machine attendant. I

The operation of the feeder embodying the present invention will be clearly understood from the foregoing description and while said description and the accompanying drawings set forth with more or less particularity one embodiment of the invention, it is to be expressly understood that said invention is not limited to said embodiment or otherwise than by the'terms of the apmittently raising the elevator and pile during feeding of sheets from the top of said pile by said sheet feeding means, separate motor driven means for rendering the sheet feeding means effective to feed sheets from the top of the pile as aforesaid, and elevator controlled means for throwing said separate motor driven means and the sheet feeding means out of operation when the elevator reaches a certain height and prior to feeding of all the sheets therefrom.

2. In a sheet feeder having suction sheet feeding means, a pile elevator, and mechanism for intermittently raising the elevator and pile during feeding of sheets from the top of said pile by said suction sheet feeding means, separate motor driven vacuum pump means for rendering the suction sheet feeding means effective to feed sheets from the top of the pile as aforesaid, and means actuated by the elevator when it reaches a predetermined height for throwing said separate motor driven pump means and said suction sheet feeding means out of operation prior to feeding of all the sheets from said pile.

3. In a sheet feeder having suction sheet feeding means, a pile elevator, and power driven mechanism for intermittently raising the elevator and pile, during feeding of sheets from the top of said pile by said suction sheet feeding means, a vacuum pump for rendering the suction sheet feeding means effective to feed sheets from the top of the pile as aforesaid, means for rapidly raising and lowering the elevator, an electric motor, separate from said power driven mechanism, for driving both the vacuum pump and the elevator raising and lowering means, pile actuated switch means for stopping the motor and the rapid raising of the elevator thereby, and elevator actuated means for automatically stopping lowering movement of said elevator by said motor at a predetermined loading or reloading position therefor.

4. In a sheet feeder having suction sheet feeding means, a pile elevator, and mechanism for intermittently raising the elevator and pile during feeding of sheets from the top of said -pile by said suction sheet feeding means, separate motor driven pump means connected with the suction sheet feeding means for creating suction therein, means for connecting the separate motor driven pump means with the elevator and for thereby rapidly lowering said elevator to load or reload it, and elevator actuated switch means for throwing the separate motor driven pump means out of operation and stopping lowering movement of the elevator at a predetermined loading or reloading position therefor.

In a sheetfeeder having suction sheet feeding means, a pile elevator, and mechanism for intermittently raising the elevator and pile during feeding of sheets from the top of said pile by the suction sheet feeding means, separate motor driven pump means for creating suction in the suction sheet feeding means, mechanism for connecting the motor driven pump means with the elevator and for thereby rapidly lowering the elevator to load or reload it, a switch for throwing the motor driven pump means out of operation, elevator actuated means for operating the switch when the elevator has been raised to a predetermined position and for thereby throwing said sheet feeding means out of operation, and elevator actuated means for operating said switch when the elevator has been rapidly low- I intermittently raising the elevator and pile during feeding of sheets from the top of said pile by the suction sheet feeding means, separate motor driven pump means for creating suction in the suction sheet feeding means, mechanism for connecting the separate motor driven pump means with the elevator and for thereby rapidly raising said elevator and the pile to bring the top of the latter to proper position for feeding of sheets therefrom by the suction sheet feeding means, and means movable into operative position by said last named mechanism and comprising pile actuated switch means for throwing the separate motor driven pump means out of operation and stopping upward movement of the elevator and pile thereby when the top of said pile reaches said position.

'7. In a sheet feeder having sheet feeding means, a pile elevator, and mechanism for operating the elevator under normal feeding conditions, separate motor driven means for rapidly raising .theelevat'or and pile to bring the top of the latter to proper position for feeding of sheets therefrom by said sheet feeding means,

' clutch means for connecting the elevator with and disconnecting the same from the separate .motor driven means, and switch means controlled by said clutch means and controlling said separate motor driven means.

8. In a sheet feeder having sheet feeding means, a pile elevator, and mechanism for operating the elevator under normal feeding conditions, separate motor driven means for rapidly raising the elevator and pile to bring the top of the latter to proper position for feeding of sheets therefrom by the sheet feeding means, switch means controlling the operation of the separate motor driven means and movable to operative and inoperative positions relative to the pile, clutch means for connecting the separate motor driven means with and for disconnecting the same from the pile elevator, and connections between the clutch means and the switch means for moving the latter to its operative and inoperative positions aforesaid.

9., In a sheet feeder having sheet feeding means and intermittently operated pile elevating means,

separate motor driven means forrapidly raising the elevator to bring the top of the pile to proper position for feeding of sheets therefrom by the sheet feeding means, switch means operable through engagement with the pile to stop the separate motor driven means when the top of the pile reaches said position, and means normally holding said switch means in an inoperative position away from said pile.

10. In a sheet feeder, a pile elevator,'mechanism for intermittently raising the pile elevator, means for rapidly raising and lowering said pile elevator including an electric motor, .a clutch for selectively connecting the pile elevator with said mechanism and said means, clutch and pile controlled switch means for controlling the electric motor, and elevator controlled switch means controlling said electric motor.

11. In a sheet feeder, a pile elevator, mechanism for intermittently raising the pile elevator, means for rapidly raising and lowering the pile elevator including an electric motor, devices for selectively connecting the pile elevator with said mechanism and said means, and elevator controlled switch means for stopping said motor and the rapid raising or lowering of said elevator thereby.

12. In asheet feeder, a pile elevator, sheet feeding devices, mechanism for intermittently raising the pile elevator during operation of the sheet feeding devices, means for rapidly raising sheet feeding devices, and rapid lowering of said elevator;

13. In a sheet feeder, apile elevator, a source of power, means connected with the source of power for intermittently raising the pile elevator, a motor, mechanism connected with said motor and adapted to rapidly lower the pile elevator to a predetermined position to load or reload it and to rapidly raise said elevator and pile thereon to a predetermined position, and two independent switch means controlled by the elevator and pile respectively, one switch means being adapted to stop said motor when the elevator and pile reach the aforesaid raised position and the other switch means being adapted to stop the motor and the elevator .when said elevator reaches said lowered position.

14. In a sheet feeder, a pile elevator, mechanism for intermittently raising the pile elevator, mechanism for rapidly raising said pile elevator including an electric motor, a switch normally tive switch for controlling the electric motor, and

connections between the clutch devices and the switch holding the latter in'an inoperative position remote from the pile during operation of said mechanism and allowing the switch to move to an operative position for contact by said pile during operation of said means. I

16. In a sheet feeder, a pile elevator, sheet feeding devices, mechanism; for intermittently raising the pile elevator during operation of the sheet feeding devices, means for rapidly raising and lowering the elevator including an electric motor, devices for selectively connecting the elevator with said mechanism and said means, pile controlled switch means controlling said motor and rapid raising of the elevator thereby, and means separate from said pile controlled switch means for automatically stopping lowering movement of said elevator by said motor at a prede-. 

